Everyone’s favorite morning weatherman and feature anchor of The Today Show, Al Roker, will join the hit Broadway musical Waitress. Making his Broadway debut, Roker will play the role of “Old Joe” from October 5 to November 11, 2018.
“I’m nervous and excited to be making my Broadway debut in such a Pie-conic show.”
Roker shared his thoughts on his foray into musical theatre. “I’m nervous and excited to be making my Broadway debut in such a Pie-conic show. My character’s name is Old Joe, so I’ve got half of it down already. And there’s pie every night!”
Including his long tenure on The Today Show, Roker is no stranger to audiences. He is a bestselling author, recipient of the American Meteorological Society’s prestigious Seal of Approval, a Daytime Emmy Award, and holds two Guinness World Records. Since 1985, he has co-hosted the annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Rockefeller Center as well as The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Rose Bowl Parade and numerous NBC specials. Mr. Roker’s develops and produces programming for numerous networks through his own production company.
Roker will join a cast that currently includes Waitress currently stars Nicolette Robinson as Jenna, Benny Elledge (Cal), NaTasha Yvette Williams (Becky), Adam Shapiro (Ogie), Drew Gehling (Dr. Pomatter), Katie Lowes (Dawn), Ben Thompson (Earl),Mariam Bedigan and London Skye Gilliam (Lulu), Tyrone Davis, Jr., Matt DeAngelis, Law Terrell Dunford, Molly Hager, Jessie Hooker-Bailey, Anastacia McCleskey, and Stephanie Torns.
Sara Bareilles, who wrote the music and lyrics for Waitress, offered her enthusiasm for Roker joining the show: “We are thrilled to have the beloved Al Roker joining the cast of Waitress for a limited engagement. He is a longtime favorite of ours and now we get to welcome him in to a whole new world at the Brooks Atkinson where it hardly ever rains.”
Al Roker also leads his “Lend a Hand Today” initiative, which has taken him across the country and raised millions to help small charities.
“Waitress tells the story of Jenna, an expert pie maker in a small town, who dreams of a way out of a loveless marriage with her husband Earl. A baking contest in a nearby county and the town’s new doctor may offer her a chance at a new life, while her fellow waitresses offer their own recipes to happiness. But Jenna must find the courage and strength within herself to rebuild her life. This new American musical celebrates friendship, motherhood, and the magic of a well-made pie.”
Mark Robinson is the author of the two-volume encyclopedia The World of Musicals, The Disney Song Encyclopedia, and The Encyclopedia of Television Theme Songs. He maintains a theater and entertainment blog at markrobinsonwrites.com.